Use of high-dose cytarabine and L-asparaginase as consolidation therapy for childhood acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia

Eight children with previously untreated ANLL received an induction regimen consisting of daunomycin and ara-C. All patients achieved complete remission. Post-remission chemotherapy was ara-C 3 g/m2 given i.v. over 3 h, at 12-h intervals, for four doses, and L-asparaginase 6000 IU/m2 i.m. 3 h after the fourth infusion of ara-C; four cycles were given over a period of five to eight months. Two patients received additional treatment. All eight patients relapsed 2-14 months after the treatment was stopped. No benefit was demonstrated by consolidation treatment given with these modalities.